Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants: Managing Your Application for Disability Insurance Benefits [Paperback]

D. Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1878140035 | ISBN-13: 978-1878140036 | Publication Date: January 1993 | Edition: 3rd

Two-thirds of disability claims are denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the initial decision. To help people with disabilities overcome these odds, the experienced disability lawyer Doug Smith has written the Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants. The Workbook is for applicants, and for people who plan to apply. It consolidates all the information that applicants need to fulfill their role of proving disability. Six detailed worksheets organize the evidence that they must provide SSA (and their physicians) to assure clear understanding of their disabilities. The book also shows how to win by appealing if SSA initially disapproves the claim. The book also explains how to respond to disability reviews, and also to take advantage of SSA return to work programs. Excellent for people under age 65 who apply for disability benefits. 152 pages with worksheets.

ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS...
• What is Social Security Disability Insurance?
• How to prove disability?
• How to appeal when benefits are denied?
• How to get and organize evidence?
• How to monitor your case?
• How to respond to continuing disability reviews?
. How can Socail Security help you get back to work?

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... written in clear language and realistically depicts the roles of applicants, their doctors, and the SSA ... -- The CFIDS Chronicle September/October 1998

I don't think I could have gotten a favorable decision without it. I had been turned down twice already ... -- Letter of BMcK, Fountain Valley CA September 16, 1999

It's the best source available. -- Christopher L. Beard, Attorney, Annapolis MD August 2001 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

The author Douglas Smith is an attorney of 35 years experience. He was a civil trial lawyer from 1969 to 1988, and an Assistant United States Attorney from 1965 to 1968. He has practiced disability law since 1983.

A resident of Maryland, Doug is married and has two children. He received a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree from Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C., in 1965, and received a bachelor of arts (history) from Southern Methodist University, Dallas Texas in 1963. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force Reserve with the rank of First Lieutenant.

Doug is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, an associate member of the National Association of Disability Examiners, and former chairman of the federal legislative committees of the State Bar of Texas and the American Bar Association Section of General Practice.

For further information, contact Physicians' Disability Services, Inc., PO. Box 827, Arnold, Maryland 21012, 410-431-5279. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Physicians Disability; 3rd edition (January 1993)
• ISBN-10: 1878140035
• ISBN-13: 978-1878140036
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,371,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Self-Help Resource, April 27, 2002

By 

Paul Nolan (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants: Managing Your Application for Disability Insurance Benefits, Revised and Expanded August 2001 (Paperback)

Anyone who is considering applying for Social Security disabiliity benefits should order this book immediately. I am attorney and have been representing Social Security claimants for over 20 years. The biggest problem most of my clients have is the overwhelming amount of information that you must provide to Social Security. Mr. Smith's book explains why each piece of information is needed for a successful result on your claim.

I have been using this book since its 1st Edition and I have never been disappointed. The most important part of the book is the section with six worksheets where you can assemble all the information you will need for your application. Even the most disorganized person will be able to use these invaluable worksheets. Many of my clients come to me after completing these worksheets and the initial interview goes twice as fast.

For successful applicants, the appendices on Continuing Disability Reviews and the Ticket to Work Act are completely up to date and provide excellent guidance.

In short, I give this book the highest rating for both its plain language approach and its superb contents. More self-help books shoould be this easy to use and useful.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Information Social Security REALLY NEEDS, November 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants: Managing Your Application for Disability Insurance Benefits, Revised and Expanded August 2001 (Paperback)

After personally speaking to Mr. Smith, I was convinced of his sincerity and committment to helping those applying for SSDI. I purchased this book, used the forms, and I got it on my first try.

His forms that I filled out(daily activities) and attached to all of my Doctor's forms were extraordinarily helpful and I believe essential in the decision making process for Social Security. It also proved helpful to the doctors who were making their reports. As long as your doctors know you, they still cannot be with you all day to know your moment to moment activities. These forms give them a birds eye view of what one deals with on a daily basis.

I recommend this book very highly.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lifesaver, May 16, 2002

By 

Rosemarie Bulik-Winston (Green Valley, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants: Managing Your Application for Disability Insurance Benefits, Revised and Expanded August 2001 (Paperback)

>I cannot say enough good things about attorney Douglas Smith's Disability Workbook. As a social worker with lupus, I had reached the point where I could no longer work, and thought that my social work experience would be an asset to me in my disability application. But when faced with the actual
application, I became completely overwhelmed. Fortunately a friend put me on to Doug's book, which was invaluable. It showed me how to organize my claim, illustrated what a medical report that is acceptable to Social Security should look like, provided forms to help me put it all together. I believe it was because of Doug's suggestions that my claim was approved on my first
try (up to 50% of first claims are denied, I have heard). My doctor also appreciated the information on how to write a good medical report. He knew I was sick and could not work but he did not know how to get that information across in a way that was acceptable to Social Security. This book is well worth the cost, is informative, empowering and gets results.
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